Another Shashi Tharoor in the Making? P Chidambaram Praises BJP, Questions INDIA Alliance Existence

In a remark that’s raising eyebrows within political circles, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday questioned the current state of the INDIA bloc and simultaneously acknowledged the formidable organisational strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His comments have drawn parallels with fellow Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram expressed doubts over the strength and unity of the opposition’s INDIA alliance, calling it “frail” and in need of urgent rebuilding ahead of the crucial electoral battles.

#WATCH | Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram says, "The future is not so bright as Mr Mrityunjay Singh Yadav says. He seems to feel that the INDIA alliance is still intact. I am not sure. Maybe Salman (Khurshid) can answer because he was part of the negotiating team of… pic.twitter.com/ZTJA9xsS1L

— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2025

INDIA Bloc Seems Frail, Needs Rebuilding, Says P Chidambaram

Speaking at a public forum on Wednesday, Chidambaram remarked, “The future is not so bright as Mr Mrityunjay Singh Yadav says. He seems to feel that the INDIA alliance is still intact. I am not sure.” He suggested that while the alliance is not completely broken, its current condition is uncertain and shaky. “If the INDIA alliance is totally intact, I would be very, very happy, but it seems frail,” he added.

There are still events which will unfold,” Chidambaram said.

The veteran Congress leader called on fellow party member Salman Khurshid, who was part of the alliance’s negotiation team, to clarify the present status of the coalition. He remained hopeful, however, that the alliance could be revived. “It can be put together. There is still time. There are still events which will unfold,” Chidambaram said.

Reflecting on the challenge ahead, he admitted that taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would require unprecedented coordination and strength from the opposition. “If you want to take on the formidable BJP machinery… in my experience, in my reading of history, there has been no political party which is so formidably organised as the BJP. In every department, it is formidable. It's not another political party.”

His comments have sparked speculation about the future of the INDIA bloc, especially as Lok Sabha elections loom closer and alliance dynamics remain in flux.